NATO senior members, distinguished visitors observe Exercise Trident Juncture 15

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Cole | Col. Joseph Ryan, the commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after his paratroopers jump during a display Nov. 4 as part of the distinguished visitors day of Exercise Trident Juncture 15. Trident Juncture 2015, which boasts more approximately 36,000 participants from more than 30 nations, is being conducted primarily in Spain, Portugal and Italy with additional activities in Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, as well as maritime operations in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.  

ZARAGOZA, SPAIN

11.05.2015

Story by Sgt. Daniel Cole 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

ZARAGOZA, Spain -- Exercise Trident Juncture 15 welcomed senior leaders from across NATO Allied and partner nations, Nov. 4, during a distinguished visitors (DV) day to demonstrate the land capabilities of the Alliance.

Czech General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, spoke to the attendees, praising the Alliance and work done here at the exercise, but reminded everyone that these exercises also serve as a way to soothe imbalances and grow stronger.

“While NATO Nations have some of the most highly trained forces in the world, it is precisely – and perhaps controversially – during these types of exercises that all the deficiencies need to be observed, documented and especially analyzed and corrected so that NATO and Partner Nations and organizations are well prepared to face any threat or crisis emanating from any direction,” Pavel said.

Some exercises bring honored guest around on DV days for a quick meet and greet with the participating Soldiers, who may fire a few blanks for show, then go separate ways.

Not this exhibition.

With what seemed like something out of a highly produced Hollywood film, the nearly 100 guests, along with dozens of media outlets, witnessed the full capabilities of NATO land forces as they overlooked the training area below.

The Spaniards simulated explosions to clear mine fields while the U.S., Germans, Polish, and Baltic ground forces in tanks and on foot attacked a large village in a full-scale assault as the nations demonstrated their training and what they are capable of when working together.

Additionally, U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-16 fighter jets, and helicopters filled the sky and wowed the audience with fascinating maneuvers and low fly-bys.

Piloting the Chinooks and Apache helicopters were non-other than the U.S. Army Europe’s 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.

After about 45 minutes the demonstration concluded and the DV group headed down to the battlefield to congratulate the hundreds of soldiers who were in the fight.

The fun was not over yet, though. More than 500 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division and the Spanish Army jumped from C-17 aircraft, demonstrating the ability to be anywhere in the world at a moments notice.

The paratroopers from the 82nd had loaded their aircraft only 8 hours before in the U.S. at Fort Bragg, rigged up their chutes while in flight over the Atlantic and landed thousands of miles from home in Spain.

This jump was not only a demonstration of both counties capabilities but was also a way to build partnerships and friendships.

After landing, both countries exchanged their nations’ jump wings as a symbol of brotherhood and the fact that both nations’ paratroopers would always be ready to work together.

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the commander of U.S. Army Europe, also praised the soldiers here at the exercise and explained that their training is part of a bigger picture.

“Cohesion is the best means we have to deter Russian aggression,” said Hodges who also highlighted the importance of the Alliance and said he was proud of all the soldiers he saw here today.

Overall, as filled with excitement as it was, the day was not just for entertainment.

The display was to demonstrate the capabilities of the Alliance and partner nations from a land-based perspective.

The deployment of significant numbers of personnel, ammunitions and equipment simultaneously across a diverse range of locations confirms NATO’s capability and resolve in the light of a changing and unpredictable security environment.

Lessons learned from Trident Juncture 15 will be analyzed and adapted for use in future exercises and operations planning; to ensure the Alliance remains agile and responsive to the diverse challenges and threats it faces.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2015
• Date Posted: 11.05.2015 15:03
• Story ID: 181042
• Location: ZARAGOZA, ES